5.7. SR 01-12-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item 5.7. City MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: DATE: Stephen Rohlf, Building and Environmental Administrator January 12, 2004 SUBJECT: Ordinance Amendment, Chapter 30, Article II, Division 3, titled Gasfitters and Gas or Fuel Installations OA 04-?? and Ordinance Amendment, 2004 Master Fee Schedule Ordinance Amendment Regarding Gas Fitter's License and Bond In the past, the State of Minnesota did not have licensing and bonding recluirements for mechanical contractors/gas fitters like they do for other trades, such as plumbing. Therefore, the city felt it prudent to recluire contractors engaging in gas piping within the city limits to have a City of Elk River Gas Fitter License. The city requires gas fitters to pass a competency test, or have proof of competency from another community, and post a $2,000 bond in favor of the city to obtain its Gas Fitters License. The fee is $35 and the city issues well over a hundred of these licenses each year. In 2003, the State of Minnesota started requiring that all mechanical contractors, which include gas fitters, have a $25,000 State Bond. There is also a push to require a state license to be a mechanical contractor, which we believe xvill be instituted in the next couple of years. The Building and Environmental Department is recommending the elimination of Chapter 30, Article II, Division 3, titled "Gas Fitters and Gas or Other Fuel Installations", of the City of Elk River Code of Ordinances in its entirety (.cee at/ached Oral/ha,ce/tmendmen/). With the state's bonding requirement, the city may no longer require a bond. The elimination of the above referenced Division of City Code does not eliminate applicable codes for mechanical/gas fitting work or the need for a permit. The State Bnildmg Code, which the city adopted by reference, includes the State Mechanical Code and the requirement for permits. Lastly, it is possible that the cit3, may fred itself xvith exposure to liability by issuing gas fitter licenses. Ordinance Amendment Regarding Gas Permits and Fees The city currently requires a Mechanical Penrfit and a separate Gas Permit for gas-fueled appliances. The rationale for requiring a separate gas permit is to track who is perfornm~g the gas xvork. Mechanical permits are based on the valuation of the ~vork performed, xvhich